 Thursday, January 04, 2007
Breaking News: Randy No Longer Dandy
The Yankees and Diamondbacks reached an agreement Thursday on a trade that would send Randy Johnson back to Arizona. Arizona would send relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino to the Yankees along with minor league right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez. Sounds like the Yanks wanted to really get rid of him. Full story on Yahoo Sports here.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
On this day in New York Yankee History
Every year on January 3rd, I get this email from mega-Yankees fan Jack. He likes to remind us of the rich history the NY Yankees have. Specifically, he likes to remind us of Babe Ruth.
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From: Jack Prilook
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 2:48 PM
To: Stephen Forte
Subject: On this day in New York Yankee History.
Jan 3, 1920. The Yankees purchase the contract of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for $125,000 and a $350,000 loan against the mortgage on Fenway Park.
On Jan 3, 1973 A group led by Mr. George Steinbrenner III buys the Yanks from CBS for $10 million.
--
Jack
So who made out better, the Yankees or the Red Sox? Everyone thinks the Yankees since they won a gazillion World Series since and the Red Sox only won 1 and had Bill Buckner let the ball go through his legs in 1986. Putting aside the 26 World Series rings for a moment, let’s look at the numbers.
While Yankees fans like to claim the Curse of the Bambino, I'll call it Supply Side Economics.
Yankees had more money and spent it well. Considering the Per Capita GDP of the World Economy in 1920 was a mere $965, the Yankees spent more money than God to bring Babe Ruth to New York. Was it really such a bargain?
Adjusted for inflation Babe Ruth's contract was $1,375,000 and the loan against Fenway was at $3,850,000. That is $5,225,000 spent for the privilege of paying someone (Babe Ruth) $110,000 a year (or $10,000 in 1920 dollars.)
Babe Ruth played on the Yankees for 14 years. In that time the Yankees made the playoffs 7 times and won 4 World Series. We are going to ignore the annual contract figures for two reasons, one is that they would have to pay the market price anyway for a star player, and two we are only concerned about the contract that they purchased since it is the legend and quote we hear about all the time.
So, for a $5.2 million investment the Yankees netted 4 World Series in seven appearances over 14 years with Ruth. Contrast that to Derek Jeter who came up through the Yankees’ farm system. The Yankees drafted Jeter in 1992 and paid him $700,000 or just a hair over $1 million in today's dollars. So for a $1 million investment, the Yankees won 4 World Series in 11 appearances over 11 years. That is $250,000 a World Series Ring with Jeter vs over $1.3 million for Ruth.
All you naysayers who think I am not fairly comparing Ruth and Jeter, Jeter has 100% playoff appearances at 11 to Ruth’s 50% at 7. Back then it was actually *easier* to make the playoffs, all you had to do was win the division to make the World Series. (The NLCS and ALCS were introduced in 1969 with divisional play.) Based on that statistic, if Jeter’s stats are extrapolated to Ruth’s, Jeter would statistically have won 6 World Series since in 10 years the Yankees have won the American League East 10 times and by 1920s rules, would have went to the world Series 11 times.
So the Yankees should start to celebrate June 1st, 1992, instead of January 3rd, 1920. That was the day Jeter was drafted by the Yankees. I'll expect an annual email from Jack. I created an Outlook reminder on May 30th to remind him.
Funny, all this from a Mets fan who hates Jeter. J
Posted By Steve in New York.
Nick Saban Going to Sweet Home Alabama
The Tank traveled to South Florida Tuesday night for some r and r and to visit some friends for a few days. It was also perfect timing to witness firsthand the reaction of Miami Dolphins fans to Nick Saban's quitting the Dolphins to become the Head Coach at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AKA The Crimson Tide.
The Tank couldn't be more thrilled for the following reasons:
(1) The Tank grew up an Alabama fan because of the late great Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, R.I.P., and former Jets quarterback Joe Namath. Though Gene Stallings thankfully won a national championship in the 1992 season with a great defense, it hasn't been the same in Tuscaloosa since Coach Bryant has been there. Nick Saban is young enough to have a chance to hopefully return Alabama to its greatness for a long period of time, God Willing.
(2) As a Bills fan (and still jilted Jets fan after they left NY for the Meadowlands), I am glad that I don't have to face the Dolphins coached by Nick home and away each season. Coincidentally, "Trader Lou" Saban, Nick's cousin, coached the Bills to AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965.
(3) At upcoming Julian / Old Calendar Christmas Dinner at my parents house Upstate this upcoming Sunday, I'll have a chance to remind my brother-in-law Jim who is a Dolphins fan about Nick's departure.
Bottom Line: Alabama has a chance to return to national prominence and the Dolphins lose a great coach. Could 2007 get off to a better start?
Don't get me wrong, it is harder in some ways to win in the SEC, the best college football conference in the country, than in the NFL. Every conference game is a battle but Coach Saban gives Alabama a chance to return to the Promised Land.
Until next time, Roll Tide!
Posted by the Tank in South Florida.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
World Peace Through Partying and Other New Year's Resolutions
It is popular this time of year to make resolutions. Granted, most people make resolutions about weight loss, exercising more, saving more, etc.
Being an out of box thinker, the Tank would like to offer unique resolutions that I am "focusing" on for 2007.
(1) Subway Series closure: The Tank was disappointed that the Mets and Yankees did not make the World Series in 2006 and hopes they both do in 2007. I plan to cheer both teams onto the World Series this upcoming season.
(2) A proposed peace summit between the Tank representing the United States and the Dude representing a prominent Middle Eastern country. The Dude is fourth in line to his country's throne and has spent much of his adolescence in various American colleges. The Dude's decimal point GPA reflects his intense immersion into American social life rather than studies over the past seven or so years of college. Therefore, the Tank hopes to find common cultural grounds to reach diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East regardless if the peace talks take place at a ballpark, jello wrestling event, or other more relaxed venue.
As an example of the success of "Tankplomacy", the Tank can point to his afterhours "Disco Diplomacy" at a Model European Union Simulation in Luxembourg in January 1994 where he played the role of President of the European Commission, French Socialist Jacques Delors. At the end of the conference, I met the then current Luxembourg Prime Minister Jacques Santer who became President of the European Commission in 1995. Thanks to my efforts, the Euro was introduced a few years later. Dancing with the beautiful women in the Italian delegation until all hours of the night didn't hurt either. Hey, no other Middle East "peace summit" has worked so we might as well give it a try. We'll at least have some fun.
To the Dude's Crew (AKA PG, Upper West Side Mike, Raj, etc.): If you are reading this, please track down the Dude and advise of him of my olive branch of peace through partying. The next round of "Tankplomacy" will be at Arlene's on Sunday, January 14. Give peace a chance, eh?
(3) Though the Tank is still afraid of God and dying, the Tank made emotional breakthroughs and less afraid of relationships as 2006 progressed. The Tank hopes to continue making progress in his personal life in 2007.
We'll see. As Meatloaf sings, "Maybe Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". 
Good luck in achieving all your dreams, resolutions, and goals!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Monday, January 01, 2007
What Happened to Winter?
Happy New Year!
As I was leaving Peter and Linda's great New Year's Eve Party last night (thanks for the invite guys), I was putting on my jean jacket, Wladimir Klitschko scarf, hat, and gloves. Peter asked me if my jean jacket was warm enough and I replied yes. The only down side of the walk from 57th Street to Grand Street to catch the train back to Brooklyn was light rain but it wasn't that cold and I thankfully endured it easily enough, touch wood.
I enjoyed walking the three or four plus miles down Second Avenue through Manhattan's diverse neighborhoods walking off the delicious snacks and a glass of wine and champagne, clearing my head, and exchanging New Year's greetings with strangers. While listening to Bob Valvano (brother of the late great North Carolina State Basketball Coach Jimmy Valvano, R.I.P.) on ESPN 1050 AM, he talked about the history of "Auld Lang Syne" and it got me thinking back to past New Year's Eves.
I remember playing in a big snow fort with my brother after my Dad cleared the snow in the driveway as a young boy in 1980. OK, that was 176 miles northwest of the City in Upstate New York and over 25 years ago. What about 10 years ago when I last stayed outdoors in Times Square with Bay Ridge Bob and the hundreds of thousands of strangers? New Year's Eve 1997 was really cold.
Don't get me wrong? I don't mind warm weather but winter is necessary to kill germs and bacteria that accumulate during the year. If the bacteria isn't killed, the risk of West Nile and other viruses increases. What happened to the weather over the past decade or so? Is global warming for real? During my trip to Antarctica almost two years ago where I met Steve, Linda, and the rest of the Antarctica Marathonmaniacs, I talked to a Russian sailor Valentin who had been traveling back and forth to Antarctica for several years. Valentin informed me of the climate changes that he noticed in Antarctica during that time. Just before his finishing his goal of Seven Marathon Continents on July 2, 2006, the Tank watched former VP Gore's well done and informative "Inconvenient Truth" movie.
It got me thinking about what I could do. In addition to being innovative sports journalists, Steve and the Tank care about the environment. Steve invited me to a lunchtime Baruch Conference on Halloween. Messrs. Mark Townsend Cox and Peter Fusaro were the main speakers. I am not going to bore you all my notes but will list some key points and informative websites.
(1) Mark's New Energy Fund VC fund tries to find companies long before the technologies are en vogue. He focused on sustained energy technology.
His main points were as follows:
(a) There is a "Universe of 427 Global Renewable Global Equities". There are 61 solar stocks are worth $53 Billion. Vestis of the Netherlands is a leader.
(b) "Ballard Power is a waste of time." They go through about $50 million a year without any real technological breakthroughs.
(c) Besides solar, other referenced technologies are hydro, tidal wave, geothermal, heat pump, ocean thermal, osmosis, wind power, and biodiesel (small scale).
(d) For interested investors, entry into Mark's fund is at $250,000.00. I think the management fees are 1.5 percent with the standard 20 percent profit.
After the presentation and the question and answer session, we had a good conversation about the regarding the wind power research I was doing on possibly placing a wind farm on my brother's farm land. He said New Community Energy is a good company. For more on the wind farm near my parents house in Jordanville, New York.
The biggest problem for Community Energy or any other wind provider is the concept of Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) of residents from Upstate NY to Cape Cod to elsewhere across the country. The following article has a great quote: "The developer's strategy seems to be to paint turbines to blend in and render them hard to detect. Jim Gordon, president of Cape Wind Associates, accepts that there will be some opposition. 'Everyone loves wind, but when it comes to building wind farms, no one wants them in their backyard.'"
There's hope for Jim's project as Peter said Martha's Vineyard resident Walter Cronkite recently came on board. Jim has been fighting for years and I wish him luck.
Cherry Valley, a town in between Jordanville and my hometown, has already zoned out wind farms. Other nearby town hall meetings are literally knock down drag out affairs when people's lives and livestock get threatened. Native born locals and retirees from the City unite to oppose wind farms because they don't want windmills in their backyards.
(2) Peter Fusaro is a former Department of Energy official and wrote the first article on global warming in March 1990. There are three driving factors to change: (i) higher sustained energy prices; (ii) technology shift; and (iii) rising global environmental impetus.
Other points include:
(a) Goldman Sachs is seeding much in this space including "11 defining technologies". Venture Capital gaint Kleiner Perkins is also getting into the act.
(b) The Chicago Climate Exchange "is the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and trading system for emission sources and offset projects in North America and Brazil." This is CCX's homepage. (c) As for Brazilian sugar turned into ethanol, it is hopeful catalyst for change but they changed the way they make their cars. If America wants the same thing, we have to change the way process the fuel in cars. If not, 1,000 ethanol stations don't stand a chance against 180,000 gas stations. (My comment: It's sad because converting cars to ethanol is not that hard. Ethanol is better for the environment than oil and it would save many struggling American farmers from bankruptcy.)
(e) Germans are way ahead in wind power policy and technology as they maintain General Electric's plants in California.
(e) Other topics that were discussed were water hedge funds, weather derivatives, cleaner coal. Scientists like Dr. Paul Epstein of Harvard Medical School are now tracking how changes in the climate are affecting health.
(f) Peter was able to place the first environmental finance analyst at RNK Capital.
(g) Peter listed the following helpful websites:
Conclusion: I enjoyed the conference and grateful for Steve's invitation to same.
If we are going to save the environment, the markets are going to play a key role as they work faster and more efficiently than governments. Peter remarked that corporate guidelines through the EU and ETS are even stricter than Kyoto. I think they are fairer because Kyoto favors less developed countries and hurts more developed countries like America. There are no double standards in IT troubleshooting. Politics and international treaties should be the same way. If you think smog in LA is bad, you should go to Beijing. I have and it makes LA's air feel like fresh mountaintop air. Steve and others have informed me that Shanghai is even worse. Not good.
Lastly, we as people have to change our NIMBY (Not In My BackYard) mentality in order solve our environmental problems. Be it windmills in Upstate New York or Cape Cod, people need to look at the bigger picture and the damage we are doing to the environment. Tough choices and sacrifices are going to have to be made.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Ultimate Fighting Championship 66 - Liddell versus Ortiz 2
In keeping with the fighting spirit of recent posts, my friend PG (from the Knicks-Nuggets game) invited me over to his buddy Mike's place on the Upper West Side for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 66 Saturday night. UFC 66 features the Light Heavyweight Championship, featuring a rematch between champion Chuck "The Ice Man" Liddell and Tito Ortiz. The Light Heavyweight division is for fighters 205 pounds and below.
Ultimate Fighting is often misunderstood as barbaric free-for-alls and is banned in many states, including New York.
After watching WWE wrestling on Monday night's on Spike TV a few years ago, the Tank was first exposed to the Ultimate Fighting reality show where contestants competed for the right to be the next "Ultimate Fighter". Like every other "reality show", the contestants lived in this unbelievably nice mansion that no regular person, much less an aspiring fighter would live in.
Anyway, enough Hollywood. Ultimate Fighting is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) where fighters from different fighting backgrounds (wrestling, boxing, jiu-jitsu, karate, judo, etc.) compete in a high Octagon in three five minute rounds except for the champion fight which is five rounds. MMA appeals to the Tank because it's great to see a wrestler compete against a boxer or a martial artist and vis-versa. Some fighters try to grapple (wrestle) on the ground while others try to fight standing up. Which fight style is the best? Regardless of which style or fighter is the best, these are incredible athletes.
During the 2005 Great Wall Marathon in China, the Tank met Gary from Vegas who trains UFC athletes. Gary finished the Boston Marathon in about 2 hours 12 minutes about 23 years ago. Both Gary and the athletes he trains are well conditioned. Like Amateur Female Jello Wrestling which is real as witnessed and blogged by the Tank, UFC has made inroads because professional wrestling is scripted, boxing is still a mess but getting better and UFC is in not as violent as P.R.I.D.E. in Japan (super ouch and even bloodier) or Muay Thai (take your life into your own hands stepping into the ring). UFC has rules and is regulated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Before we get to the main event, there are several good under cards including (1) Andre "The Pit Bull" Arlovski of Belarus and now residing in Chicago. Arlovski uses a mouthguard shaped as fangs to get a psychological advantage on his opponent. It works and Arlovski beats Marcio Cruz.
In between bouts, the camera pans to Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi sitting at ringside as Agassi has a home in Vegas. Steffi looks scared.
Other noteable matches include (2) Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald of Canada beating Chris Leben by putting him in a guillotine hold. Chris Leben couldn't tap out. Leben is very candid in his post match commentary. Question: "How do you feel?" Answer: Unprintable. More celebrity sightings include actor Chris Angel and musician Kid Rock. (3) "The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine TKOed Forrest Griffin. I felt bad for Griffin who fought a good fight and was crying after the fight. He said he'll be back. Good luck! (4) Thiago "The PitBull" Alves of Brazil (now Florida) beats Tony DeSouza of Peru. His shirt says "I am not a grappler. I am not a striker. I am both." (5) The main event features Chuck "The Ice Man" Liddell versus Tito Ortiz versus Chuck Liddell. They are former friends and training partners. PG informs me that Ortiz is dating actress Jenna Jameson. As Rod Stewart sings, "Some guys have all the luck". Ortiz comes out with a two sided Mexican and American flag to one of Eminem's hits. Ortiz is psyched while Liddell is relaxed. Bruce Buffer, brother of boxing announcer Michael "Let's Get Ready To Rumble" Buffer, is the UFC announcer. PG predicts an Ortiz win to setup Ortiz-Liddell 3. Ortiz submission versus Liddell. The online voting leading up to the event ends 51-49 in favor of Liddell. It is scheduled for five, 5 minute rounds. They size each other up but Liddell quickly gets down to business as causes Ortiz to bleed over his right eye. Liddell is defining the territory of the Octagon well and limiting Ortiz's movement. Liddell knocks Ortiz down toward the end of the first round and the ref should have the called the match. However, the first round is scored 10-9 in favor of Liddell. Ortiz kept the points close because he connected and scored on body kicks. To start the second round, the crowd cheers "Chuck" for Liddell. Ortiz connects on some body kicks but Liddell counters with punches. Ortiz shoots for Liddell's legs but he is too far out to get him on the mat. Ortiz tries again and succeeds in getting Liddell unto the mat. Liddell somehow gets out of the hold and off the mat. Unbelievable! Commentator Eddie Bravo scored Round 2 10-9 in favor of Ortiz because he scored on the leg kicks. Therefore, the fight is even on the card as we enter Round 3. Ortiz gets knocked down but Liddell waves him up. Liddell then puts together overhand and underhand combinations to win by TKO in 3:59 of the third round. PG, Mike, Drago, Gary, and The Tank celebrate Liddell's victory. In unique upstart and cool fashion, Liddell announces that his after party is at "Studio 54" in Vegas. Liddell also promotes the upcoming " 300" movie which the Tank is looking forward to March 2007. Ortiz thanks everyone including the troops serving overseas. His after party is at Jag in Vegas. How many boxers or wrestlers announce their after parties on air?
Until next time, this is the Tank reporting UFC 66 from Mike's place on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Keep fighting the good fight inside and outside the ring in 2007. Happy and Healthy New Year to all!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Getting Off The Canvas
Steve and The Tank took a few punches to the chin this past week.
(1) Barry Zito signing with the Giants was a huge blow to Steve and I had to talk him off the ledge again. It was a huge shock to the Tank because Zito signed much earlier than he thought he would. However, Super Mega Sports Agent Scott Boras played the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Mariners, and anyone else he could have found against each other to get the Giants to offer him the richest contract for a pitcher ever.
(2) The Tank was knocked to the canvas once again as he lost someone he cares deeply about. No, it wasn't President Ford who was historically important but the Tank lost someone even more special and important. Steve returned the favor and talked me off the ledge.
To quote the Philadelphia Poet Rocky Balboa, "It's not how hard you've been hit by life, it's how hard you hit back!" After some blood, sweat, and tears like in Rocky, Steve and the Tank cheered each other up and accomplished a great deal this week. For instance, Steve did a great job upgrading the website. The Tank has been fighting the good fight against YouTube's copyright department after they pulled our global exclusive Knicks-Nuggets video from inside Madison Square Garden. I can't divulge all the details at the present time but the Tank is fighting for equal treatment under the law while others with less intellectual property standing show their videos freely without harrassment.
To quote the great country signer Toby Keith, we were sucker punched this past week. Steve And The Tank have gotten off the canvas, answered the bell, and will keep fighting for you in 2007 and beyond. "Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8!"
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Remembering President Ford; NFL Week 17 Picks
President Gerald Ford passed earlier this week at 93. President Ford was the 38th President and may not be remembered by historians as one of the greatest presidents but he got America through a very difficult post-Watergate and Vietnam period. The Tank doesn't remember President Ford's Administration well but does remember his Dad slamming the newspaper down on the kitchen table in disgust after President Ford fell short in a late rally against Jimmy Carter in the 1976 Election.
The Tank admires President Ford for his contribution to America and football. He was real Old School and a two-time National Champion at Michigan. He played without a helmet. If everyone did, there would be fewer injuries from a metal helmet on a body (even with pads). Ouch! The Tank may not get this essential reform passed in the near future but he has made progress in his 20 year campaign against astroturf. If I ever run for office, the Tank maybe assassinated by football helmet manufacturers but thanked by future players and honored by historians. The health of the players and the betterment of the game will be part of my legacy.
His address at the 1974 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshirement shows the class gentleman that he was and his impact on the country and game. It was less than two weeks before he took over for President Nixon. (Speaking of President Nixon, I misspoke at Linda's great Holiday party this past Saturday in response to a question from "White Fedora" Mike. America went off the gold standard on August 15, 1971, not August 15, 1973. My apologies to WFM and others in attendance for the error in the year but not the date. However, the Tank does not apologize for his advocacy of a return to gold standard and real money in this dated but excellent article.)
R.I.P. President Ford.
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Last call for the NFL regular season. The Tank was 9-6 in his picks, touch wood. I excluded the Giants-Saints game out of protest which I continue this week. I felt even better when Vegas pro Brandon Lang avoided the game on Stephen A. Smith's ESPN 1050 AM radio show last Friday.
For new readers, my picks are designed for you to win the highest number of games in your office pool which are normally predicated on wins and losses, NOT the Vegas line. Unlike Lang who is an excellent analyst, I do not bet Vegas lines because they are subject to change and Vegas knows more than everyone except God. Furthermore, Vegas lines are designed for the "vig" or the balance of the betting money which is why you see ridiculous double-digit lines to get people to take chances and care about potential blowouts. Whereas, I want you to win your office pool and be the talk of your office.
Remember, bet within your limits, past performance is not indicative of future results (mutual fund speak legalese disclaimer), and have fun. The predicted winning team is in bold.
There are five 7-8 NFC teams fighting for the last wild card spot including the Giants with the various permutations and combinations for all teams.
Lock:
The Jets win against the Raiders and they are going to the playoffs. Yes, the Raiders are playing for pride and their jobs (Art Shell included) but are at the Meadowlands. Take the Jets.
The Cowboys are playing for NFC East against the rudderless Lions.
The Chargers are at home against the improving Cardinals.
Should Win:
A Ravens win against the Bills and they clinch a week off.
The Colts are playing for playoff seeding and are at home against Dolphins.
The Chiefs are at home against the Jaguars.
The Saints host the disappointing but still playoff eligible 7-8 Panthers.
The Eagles host the inconsistent but still playoff eligible 7-8 Falcons.
The Titans are at home against the Patriots. Who would have thought at the beginning of the season they had a chance to make the playoffs? The Patriots should dash those hopes.
The Broncos are at home and need to beat the 49ers to make the playoffs.
The still playoff eligible 7-8 Rams play at the Vikings.
Avoid:
The Bengals are at the Steelers. The Steelers are playing for pride in possibly Coach Bill Cowher's last game but the Bengals need to win and get some help to win to make the playoffs.
The improving Texans are at home against the Browns.
The Bears hosting the still playoff eligible 7-8 Packers. Expect Brett Favre to go down swinging in what might be his last game.
The Buccaneers host the Seahawks. The Seahawks might rest some guys because they have made the playoffs but have a first round game instead of a bye because they choked down the stretch. Watch, choke-artist Seahawks prove me wrong.
Protest:
The still playoff eligible 7-8 Giants at the Redskins on Saturday night. Does anyone care anymore? The Giants don't appear to. The Tank's protest against the Giants continues.
Posted by The Tank in NY. Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Medford Bob Says...
You have often heard me refer to friend and co-worker Medford Bob. Medford Bob is one of my few friends who can give Linda a run for her money in the sarcasm department. For as much as I enjoyed hearing and writing about "Jon Stewart throws like a girl" and other Mets issues from Linda, Medford Bob yells at me whenever Randy "Keep 'Em Close" Johnson pitches. It gets better. After I leave work, I get 3 a.m. calls from Robert in Tampa venting about any and all Yankee games from the past 40 years. Like I am responsible? I am not George Steinbrenner or Brian Cashman. I would if I could but I can't so I won't.
You should no longer wonder why I write a great deal to keep whatever little sanity I have left. If writing could only help my hair loss or love life…
Enough about me for now, here's the first but hopefully not the last "Medford Bob Says…"
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"Medford Bob Says..."
A few thoughts on baseball..Gil Meche? 55 million dollars? Props to KC. Looks like they're serious about competing with the Toledo Mud Hens this year.
Is Brian Cashman just getting better or what! It's like he's playing moneyball with a huge budget. I like the way he has been stockpiling young pitching while solidifying the team and not panicking by overpaying mediocre free agents. Except for a backup catcher, this team is solid.
And any Red Sox fans that think their rotation with Deemat (is that slang for something to clean your shoes on?) will outclass the Bombers are still living in fantasyland. Barring injury (and if the Yanks, God willing, get rid of "Keep 'em close Randy") do you really want to put your rotation against Mussina, Pettite, Wang, Igawa and probably Phillip Hughes? Yeah I know there's been talk about getting Barry Zito but he sucks against the American League East and will probably end up with the Mets as they will bid through the roof as they need him more. (will Pedro ever pitch again? And the only people afraid of the Mets starting rotation as it stands is, the Mets. And speaking of the Mets, all I can say is, Moises Alou? Let my people go! ) J.D. Drew? Puuleeez! Cards traded him to Atlanta who let him go as a free agent. Guy makes Ricky Henderson and his hammy look like a WWII Marine storming Iwo Jima. Boston fans will LOVE him. Like they love Coco Crisp.
But you gotta give Theo props for the moves he has made. Sox may have finished behind Baltimore and Toronto if he hadn't stepped up. More than an overpriced Japanese import (let's reserve judgment on Cy Young San until the third time he goes through the league and faces major leaguers who haven't had just 2 weeks of pickup games) he's made some nice moves to solidify the team. But they are still not good enough to overcome da Bombers. (having the Sox win ONCE in 86 years made them think they actually have a chance but it is accepted in the scientific community that if you put a monkey into a room with a watch in pieces, EVENTUALLY the monkey will put it back together) Let’s face it. Red Sox nation is just a third world country on cheap steroids ("doesn't everyone have an arm growing out their ear?").
The Cubs, the Cubs the Cubs. It's like watching a drunken uncle who hit the lottery and has no money skills. Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Wade Miller. And pray for rain. No really. But only on the days they're supposed to pitch. Soriano has become the new A-Rod? Gonna have him bat leadoff so Juan Pierre can strike out leaving him on base.
Cardinals are right now going into the spring with Chris Carpenter and 4 guys named Moe. But Walt Jocketty will somehow figure all this out because anyone who watches the Cards knows you don't bet against Walt. NL central looks like the weak sister again this year.And that’s great for St. Louis. Because they're the best fans in America. Just ask them. They'll tell you. Best fans in America. It's true. They took a poll in the old Busch Stadium. And St. Louis came out on top. Go figure.
I just saw Happy Feet. It made me………………Happy.
Till next time, this is Medford Bob Says...
Introduced and posted by The Tank and Written by Medford Bob in NY.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
5 Reasons why the Mets need to sign Barry Zito
- 211. That is the average number of innings Zito gives you a year. Last year Glavine gave the Mets 198, el Duque 162, Pedro 132 and Maine 90. With the back end of the rotation not solidified yet and Pedro’s status in doubt you need to add someone dependable to the staff that can give you 200+ innings a year. Zito is your man.
- 37. That is the average age of Glavine, el Duque and Pedro. Zito is 28. The Mets’ front of the rotation is filled with old guys who have won a Cy Young, pitched in the playoffs and can pitch on the NY stage. Then now need a young Cy Young winner with tremendous amount of playoff experience. Zito is your man.
- 22. That is the amount of major league victories Scott Kazmir has. Mets fans are still irrationally bitter. Steve Philips did make that bad trade, but he was run out of town because of it. I was trying to enjoy the best Mets’ season in 18 years and my friends could only say all summer long “Imagine if Kazmir was on the team” like a broken record. When the Mets went into the playoffs with the bad news bears pitching rotation I actually started to think that maybe the psychos had a point. The Mets need a young stuff pitcher who can exercise the Kazmir ghost. Zito is your man.
- 21. That is the number of years since the Mets won a world series. I have always said “Pitching wins pennants.” The Cardinals outlasted the Mets because their pitching shut down the Mets hitting. Zito is your man.
- 0. The number of quality starters out on the market left. With Soup signed and Dontrelle in jail for DWI, Lastings Millage’s stock down, Zito is your man.
Posted by Steve in New York.
The Boras That Stole Christmas
Christmas came and went without the signing of Scott Boras' superstar free agent client, Barry Zito. Mets fans like Steve, Linda, her Mom, and others will have to wait a little longer than hoped.
Here's why: Boras is notorious at getting and maintaining leverage for his clients. Just ask the Red Sox. As their plane was going back to Boston, Boras was still negotiating Matsuzaka's terms with Red Sox GM Theo Epstein. By the end of the negotiations, Epstein aged about ten years and looked as though he had seen a ghost. He did, it was Scott Boras, the Ghost of Free Agent Greed.
Where Do We Go From Here: Expect Boras to tighten the screws even harder on the Mets, Rangers, and other Zito suitors. That's his job and he does it better than anyone else in the world.
I don't even expect Zito to be signed by Old Calendar Christmas, January 7. I expect Zito to be signed as close as possible to Pitchers and Catchers which is just after my least favorite "holiday", "Saint" Valentine's Day. Expect more from the Tank as we get closer to February 14.
Anyway, enough about "Hallmark Holidays" and let's get down to the important stuff. I give the Mets the edge for the following reasons:
(1) They are a contender as the Rangers are not quite there yet. The Mets were one strike from the World Series and the Rangers didn't even make the playoffs.
(2) Zito will be reunited with his former pitching coach, Rick Peterson. Shea Stadium is much more pitcher friendly than the Launching Pad at Arlington.
(3) Texas has an 11 percent state income tax edge as NY has 7 percent state and 4 percent local tax. However, Zito will be able to up the difference in endorsements in the nation's biggest media market.
Word to the wise Mets fan: Be patient and keep the faith. Boras wants top dollar but he is not foolish enough to walk away from a "bad" deal that makes him and Zito millions. If Omar Minaya makes a competitive offer, Zito will most likely sign with the Mets.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
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